Container for milk and the like



Jamil E95@ M Q KUHN CONTAINER FOR MILK AND THE'. LKE

Filed Sept. 20, 1947 lNVENToR. MAX ,//H/V ATTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 17,*1950 CONTAINER FOR MILK AND THE LIKE Max` Q.. Kuhn, Akron, Ohio, assigner to The Firestone Tire @a Rubber Company, Akron.. Ohio, a

corporationY of Ohio Application September 20, 1947, Serial No. 775,315

(Cl. ,22o-42)V 2 Claims. l This invention relates to improvements incoi-- tainers particularly adapted for the storage and transportation or" edible fluids, such as milk.

Heretofore metallic containers oi the type commonly termed milk cans" have normally been ofv a construction to include a substantially cylindrical body portion closed atene end by a cap welded thereto and provided at the opposite end with a tapered neckl portion formed integral with said body portion. Heretof'ore such containers usually have been provided with annular ribs or hoops extending over the welded'seams thereoi` to'reenforce and protect said seams aswell as the container walls during handling. A mouth dened by the neck portion is adapted to receive a closure cap or cover in snug, pressed t engagement therewith to provide an eieotive uid seal. The closure cap or cover may exten-d into the container month for several inches, the cap being adapted complementarily to engage the wall surfaces of the mouth substantially to the extent of its insertion therein. The cap is provided with a flange forming a protective guard around the marginal area of the neck. The flange or guard does not engage tightly with the neck surface, hence dust and other foreign material is free to enter the space under the overhanging fiange'and pass into that portion ci the mouth or' the oontainer which is not completely blocked oliby' the closure cap. Upon removal of the closure cap, the dust accumulated is free to drop down into the container and contaminate the contents thereof. Another disadvantage residing in the type of' container previously constructed relates to the sharply reduced diameter intermediate the cylindrical body portion and the mouth, resulting in the establishment of a fluid containing pocket,v making complete emptying of the container dificult. To insure complete removal of the contents of said container inversion to a vertical position is normally required with the result that uninformed or careless Workmen often unintentionally do not remove the entire contents oi the container during a pouring operation.

. Suchcontainers heretofore have usual-ly been made of ordinary carbon steel, rendered rust resisting by a coating of tin deposited thereon by dipping the steel container in molten tin. Upon repeated use and cleaning, the tin Wears oli and retinning is required. A further disadvantage or such containers resides in the tendency for dirt and dust to accumulate at the external joint and protective rib areas thereof. VThenecessity of insuring external as welll as internal cleanliness of containers for edible duide is readily apparent.

An important object of the present invention is generally to improve and simplify the construction of containers for edible liquid foods in a manner to eliminate certain disadvantages residing in prior types of containers.

Another object of the invention is to provide an airtighthollow' cover from two metal members which are welded together.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent as the specification proceeds.

Reference now is made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevation, partially in section, of a container embodying the principles of the: invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan of the-container of Fig.. 1;1

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section of the cover and neck section of the container; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section or the bottom corner oi the container.

With` reference to the details shown in thel drawings, a milk can. indicated generally bythe numeral It is provided and it is completely formedfrom a non-corrosive, inherently sanitary material, such as stainless steel. While the container of the invention will be referred to herein as a milk can, it will be understood that the vcontainer can be used for any beverage or liquid, but is especially suited for storage and transport of edible liquids, such as milk. The milk can I0 includes a substantially tubular body section H which has a reduced diameter breast portion l2 formed at its upper end, which breast portion smoothly curves inwardly with relation to the remainder, or lower part of the body portion ll. The body portion il also has an integral base portion t3, asbest shown in Fig. 4, which portion is of the same cylindrical contour as the main part oi the body portion.

In order to provide an end for the body portion Il, a dished endv cap Hl is telescoped into engagement with the bottom section i3 and is welded thereto. The end cap lll/is tightly received in the bottom section H and preferably is fusion welded thereto by an arc applied to the outer` part of such portion Il in accordance with known welding methods, although other types of welded joints may be formed, if desired; Usually any exposed crevice in the milk can is undesirable so that the bottom portion ofthe milk can fell ifs'ordinarily completed by use of a falsef-bottom l5 which is of inverted, dished shape and is pressed tightly against the bottom outer surface of' the end cap I4. This false bottom member l5 is se 3 cured to the container I6 by a plurality of relatively wide circumferentially spaced welded sections |6 formed between the base section I3 and a cylindrical portion of the false bottom I5. Preferably, drain slots 'I are formed in the base section |3 of the milk can completely within the margins of the welded sections |6 so that cleaning fluid or other liquid retained or placed in the base section of the can will be able to flow out from the dished bottom surface and not be retained in such portion of the can. A reenforcing bead I9 is formed at the lower end of the y base section I3 and its inner end may be fusion welded to the end part of section of the false bottom and to the main body of the base section I3 at 20. Formation of the bead I9 seals the end of the false bottom I5 so that an airtight joint is formed between the false bottom I5 and the base of the milk can so that no milk or other material could enter the dead air space at the bottom of the container to make it a breeding spot for bacteria or other contaminating agents.

The container portion of the milk can I0 is completed by means of a neck section 2| that is secured to the upper edge of the breast portion I2 by a smooth fusion welded joint indicated at 22. It will be observed that the base or lower portion of the neck section 2| is formed at a curve which smoothly blends in with the contour of the breast portion I2. A tapered sealing surface 23 is provided on a section of the inner surface lof the neck section I8 adjacent its upper edge. This sealing surface 23 is of reduced diameter in relation to the remainder of the neck section 2| and it tapers radially outwardly of the container towards the open end thereof. The outer end of the neck section 2| is enlarged to form a perpendicular cylindrical section 24 therein for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

The absolute edge of the neck section 2| which forms the pouring mouth for the milk can be reenforced by means of rolling or otherwise forming or turning back the edge of the neck section on itself and then welding such edge of the neck section to the intermediate portion thereof as shown at 25 to form a sturdy, inexpensive airtight edge reenforcement.

The container is provided with a removable combination cover and closure or lid 26 comprising a dished cover portion 21 marginally provided with a depending flange 3| which flange terminates in a radially outwardly rolled edge turned back against and welded to said flange whereby said marginal edge is reenforced and presents a smooth pleasing appearance. The closure portion, generally referred to as 28, of said combination is substantially cylindrical in shape but having an arcuate step-off 9 between an inner and outer portion 29 and 30 respectively, as will be seen by reference to Figs. 1 and 2. The top edge of the enlarged portion 39 is flared radially outwardly and abuts the cover portion 21 and is welded thereto as shown at 8 in Fig. 3. The bottom 6 of the closure portion 28 is subjected to a reverse draw, but it is to be understood that the invention contemplates forming the bottom of the lid to any shape found to be satisfactory.

The inner portion 29 has the taper of a conical cylinder and is adapted to make fluid tight engagement with the surface 23 of neck 2|. It will be understood by those familiar with the art that portion 29 will automatically adjust itself to sealing relation with the surface 23 by moving axially into said neck until such fluid tight seal is effected.

As indicated above the portion 28 also has an enlarged portion 30 formed thereon adjacent its upper end and the section 30 is designed to engage smoothly with the cylindrical end 24 of the container. Fig. 3 best shows that the arrangement of the cover and its associated surfaces is such that a tight seal of the milk can will be effected between the surface 23 and the section 29 as the cover 26 is inserted into the milk can. Regardless of the degree of axial movement of the cover with relation to the milk can. the cylindrical surfaces 24 and 30 will initially take and retain a sealed position. This sealing action will be effected in axially spaced relation to the engagement of the surface 23 and section 29 and such engagement of the portions 24 and 30 will always terminate immediately adjacent the bead section 25 regardless of the amount of wear of the cover 26 and the length of its insertion into the milk can.

Flange 3| is adapted to encompass or surround the pouring mouth of the section 2|, but it is in spaced relation thereto to permit the automatic, continuous double sealing action of the cover 26 over a long service life.

An important feature of the invention is the joining of the closure member 28 and the cover 21 by a continuous weld whereby a lid having an airtight construction is provided which lends itself to ready and easy cleaning action and will avoid contamination of the contents of the milk can in any manner. This continuous weld 8 preferably is effected after preheating of the closure member 28, or the closure member may be retained in a heated jig while weld action occurs so that the air contained in the closure member 28 will be heated prior to the completion of the weld between the end cover 21 and closure 28. Thus, expansion of such air contained within the closure member will not interfere with weld action by blowing out any of the weld, or fused metal near the end of the weld. Ultimately, there even may be a slight vacuum set up within the lid 26 as the air within it contracts, but such action will only function to dish in the cover portion 21 slightly more than is indicated in Fig. 3 of the drawings and will not be objectionable in any manner.

Handles 33, formed of stainless steel sheet, are spot welded to the milk can on diametrically opposed portions of the neck section 2| thereof. The base sections 34 of the handles are sealed at their edges to the neck section 2| by soft solder to form a tight, easily cleaned connection therewith.

By provision of a relatively wide neck section 2| which smoothly blends into the contour of the body section of the milk can ID, it can be easily cleaned, inspected, filled, or emptied. Stainless steel will not be corroded by the usual conditions of use and will form a light but strong milk can. The can has no cracks or crevices for liquids to lodge in, as the can sections are secured together by smooth welded joints.

One complete embodimentl of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail herein, but it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the specic example set forth since modification may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a container of the character described, a frusto-conical neck portion leading upwardly into an enlarged and outwardly offset cylindrical mouth. and a closure member provided with a similar mating frusto-conical portion adapted, when said closure member is fully seated, to engage said neck portion in sliding face contacting relation therewith, the frusto-conical portion of said closure member leading into an outwardly oiset enlarged cylindrical portion adapted continuously to engage said mouth portion in sliding face contacting relation thereto during seating of said closure member and to retain a sliding face contacting seal therebetween during non-engagement between said neck and the frusto-conical portion of said closure member until complete removal of said closure member from said mouth whereby to retain an eiective seal therebetween during periods of incomplete seating of said closure member.

2. In a container of the character described, a frusto-conical neck portion leading upwardly into an enlarged dished portion which in turn leads into an outwardly oiset cylindrical mouth portion, and a closure member provided with a similar mating truste-conical portion adapted, when said closure member is fully seated, snugly to engage said neck portion, said frusto-conical portion of said closure member leading into an outwardly dished portion which in turn leads into an outwardly offset enlarged cylindrical portion adapted continuously to engage said mouth portion in sliding face contacting relation thereto during seating of said closure member and to than the correspondingly dished portion of said neck and mouth portion, whereby upon complete seating of said closure member, a major area of said dished portions are maintained in mutual spaced relation to insure retention of a snug fit between the lower surface areas of said mouth portion and corresponding portions of said closure member for the maintenance of sealing engagement therebetween during either complete or incomplete seating of said closure member.

MAX O. KUHN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 506,355 Zwietusch Oct. 10, 1893 571,380 Lisk Nov. 17, 1896 1,059,423 Zwerman Apr. 22, 1913 1,200,263 Stollberg Oct. 3. 1916 1,364,862 Bruns Jan. 11, 1921 1,380,310 Wolcott May 31, 1921 1,412,966 Richman Apr. 18, 1922 1,799,205 Wood Apr. 7, 1931 2,071,621 Gettleman Feb. 23, 1937 2,160,680 Sandberg May 30, 1939 2,199,953 Hois et al. May 7, 1940 2,268,763 Millmann Jan. 6, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 200,251 Great Britain July 12, 1923 471,787 Great Britain Sept. 10, 1937 

